Top-spinning device.



6. JOHN.

TOP SPINNING DEVICE- Patented Dec. 19, 1916.

GEORGE JOHN, DETROIT, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR ONE-HALF TO ELEES AMOUNEY,

0F DETROIT, MICHIGAN. r

'TOP-SPIN1\TI1\TG DEVICE.

rename.

To all whom it may concern:

' Be it known that I, GEORGE JOHN, a sub ject of the Sultan of Turkey,residing at Detroit, in the county of l/Vayne and State of Michigan,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Top-Spinning D evices, of which the following is a specification, reference being hadtherein to the ac companying drawings.

This invention relates to a top spinning device by which an ordinaryWood conicalshaped top may be spun, instead of using the customarystring and throwing the top to impart a spinning movement to the same.

My invention aims to provide a simple, durable and easily operated topspinning device wherein a coiled spring is employed for imparting arotary movement to a top. The spring is placed under tension by placingthe top in engagement with a convolution thereof and then rotating thetop to wind the spring. The spinning device has a spring-pressed latchadapted to temporarily hold the top and adapted to be manually actuatedto release the top.

The detail construction of the top spinning device will be hereinafterspecifically described and then claimed, and reference will now be hadto the drawings, wherein- Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of thespinning device and top, showing the latter in position to bespun; Fig.2 is a bottomplan of the top spinningv device; Fig. 3 is a top plan ofthe top, and Fig. 4 is a side elevation on a small scale of a topspinning device and top.

In the drawing 1 denotes a knob or handle having a longitudinal centralbore 2 with the end of the bore open at the lower end of the handle.Mounted in the handle 1 and extending through the bore 2 and protrudingfrom the lower end of the handle is a cylindrical stem 3, and this stem,within the bore 2 is encircled by a coiled spring 4 having the innerconvolution thereof connected to the stem 3, as at 5, and the outerconvolution terminating in a hook 6.

The handle 1, at one side of the bore 2,

has a longitudinal auxiliary bore 7 and a slot 8 communicating with theauxiliary bore. Slidable in the auxiliary bore is a latch 9 normallyheld in an extended position by a coiled compression spring 10 in theinner end of the auxiliary bore 7. The latch 9 is adapted to be manuallyretracted by a but- Specification of Letters'Ia'tent. 1

mam nee. 19,1916.

Application filed September 15, 1916. 55min). 120,242.

ton 11 'havinga shank extending through the 7 slot Sinto the inner endof the latch 9.

p12 denotes an ordinarywood and conical shaped top having a plug 13. Thetop 12 is provided with a central longitudinal stem socket 14 adapted toreceive the lower end.

of the stem'3 and the upper end of the top has latch sockets 15 disposedcircumferentially of the stem socket 4:. The upper end of the top 12also has a pin 16 adapted to engage the hook 6 of the spring 4 and windsaid spring as the top 12 is rotated. upon thestem 3. Normally'a few ofthe convolutions of the spring- 4 protrude from the lower end of thehandle 1, and when the hook 6 is engaged by the pin 16 and the springplaced under tension, the lower convolutions recede into the open end ofthe bore 2 and vpermits of the upper end of the top 12 assuming aposition in close proximity to the lower end of the handle 1.

When the spring 4 is placed under tension by rotating the top 12, thespring-pressed latch 9 engages in one of the latch sockets 15.

and temporarily holds the'top 12 upon the stem 3. When the latch 9 ismanually retracted, the spring 4 simultaneously ejects the top 12 fromthe stem 2 and in so doing imparts a spinning movement to the top sothat the top will spin on a floor or'other surface.

With the spring 4: under tension and set to rotate the top 12, the wallsof one of the latch sockets 15 will frictionally engage the latch 9 andthereby preclude any possibility of the spring 4 ejecting the top solong as the latch is in one of the latch sockets. I attach considerableimportance to the simplicity of construction which permits of sible fora child to be injured when manipulating the device.

' What I claim is A top spinning device comprising a handle having acentral longitudinal bore, a stem of less diameter than the bore of saidhandle and having the inner end thereof mounted in said handle, and theouter end thereof protruding from the lower end of said handle, a coiledspring encircling said stem within the bore of said handle and havingthe inner convolution thereof con- 7 nected to said stem and the outerconvolution terminating in a hook, a top having a stem socket adapted toreceive the lower end of the side of said handle adapted for retractsaidstem, saidtop having tjhe upper .end ing said latch to-rel-easesaid top,so-that said thereof provided with sockets circtimferem spring mayeject said top from said stem tially of the stem socket, a pin carriedby and impart a spinning movement thereto.

. the upper end of said top adapted to engage in testimony whereof Iaiiix my signature 15 the hook of said spring and place said spring inthe presence of two Witnesses.

under tension when said top is rotated upon 7 GEORGE JOHN.

said stem, a spring pressed latch in said Witnesses: v

handle adapted to engage in one of the latch ANNA M. Donn, W sockets ofsaid top, and a button operable at KARL BUTLER- Gopies 012 this patentmay be obtained for five cents each, byia'ddressing the "GommissionerofEatents,

Washington, 3). 0.

